The Western Federation of Professional Surveyors (WFPS) Board of Directors met on Oct. 10, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. The productive meeting showcased the ongoing collaboration between our 13 western states — from shared legislative insights to academic initiatives and professional outreach. As always, WFPS remains a powerful platform where ideas are exchanged, challenges are addressed and the surveying profession is strengthened across state lines.

WFPS Highlights

Occupational Data and Representation
WFPS Executive Director Crissy Willson discussed the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET occupational data study and the importance of ensuring that the surveying profession is correctly represented in national workforce data. Accurate classification not only affects recognition of our work but also influences how federal and state agencies support educational programs and licensure pathways. Multiple WFPS directors have signed up to help the Department of Labor obtain survey profession data.

Student Mentorship Initiative
A new WFPS landing page is being developed to connect surveying students in online programs with licensed surveyors who can serve as mentors, creating a bridge between academia and practice. This will be an especially valuable resource for students in remote areas or programs without easy access to local field opportunities.

Legislative and Regulatory Coordination
Idaho’s deregulation movement has significantly reduced the authority of its licensing boards. First, all boards were combined under one umbrella, eliminating the autonomy of the Board of Registration and limiting its ability to enforce discipline or address unlicensed practice. Next, jurisprudence questions were removed from the state exam, weakening emphasis on Idaho’s laws and ethics. Now, the governor has issued a new executive order further consolidating boards and commissions.

2026 Western Regional Survey Conference
Conference Chair Mike Nadeau and Executive Director Crissy Willson reported substantial progress on the Western Regional Survey Conference, scheduled for March 18-21, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event promises to be one of the most comprehensive professional gatherings in the West, featuring five concurrent education tracks and a full lineup of nationally recognized speakers — Michael Dennis, Kris Kline, Gary Kent and the CFedS course by Glen Thurow and Tasha Huhta. Social events will include a bowling tournament, icebreaker reception and live and silent auctions benefiting state education foundations. Conference information and registration can be found at plseducation.org.

State Highlights

Alaska
Representative Josh Varney reported that Alaska is evaluating the possible removal of its four-year degree requirement for licensure as the number of licensed surveyors continues to decline. Recruiting and retaining faculty for its college-level surveying program remains difficult. Josh noted that his own introduction to the profession came through TrigStar, underscoring the value of early outreach to high school students.

Arizona
Mike Fondren shared that APLS is moving forward with legislation to address the 2022 Datum and update its Minimum Standards, now shifting from statute to rule for more efficient future updates. Unfortunately, recent changes to the Board of Technical Registration’s authority have now limited who can file complaints against surveyors, weakening self-policing within the profession.

California
Kevin Nehring reported on continuing confusion about revisions to California’s monument preservation law, which have been returned to committee for clarification. Meanwhile, counties have begun to actively enforce monument-protection requirements, ensuring monuments are verified and rehabilitated before project completion. Additionally, Assembly Bill 1341, intended to combat unlicensed surveying by contractors, was derailed after losing support from the contractors’ board.

Colorado
Todd Beers noted that Colorado’s new mandatory continuing-education requirement for surveyors took effect on Nov. 1. The board clarified that Improvement Location Certificates may no longer be used for boundary or construction purposes, replacing them with Improvement Survey Plans to uphold professional standards. Colorado also participated in the “Hiring Our Heroes” event to promote surveying to transitioning service members.

Hawaii
Joe Charles-Uli‘i Jr. reported that HLSA continues to explore how geospatial technologies, such as GIS and mapping, intersect with traditional surveying, reviewing how other states define and regulate this overlap.

Idaho
Austin Ishino reported that ISPLS awarded nearly $30,000 in scholarships to nine students and that the survey program at ISU is doing well. However, some states with degree requirements for licensure do not recognize the program as meeting their qualification standards.

Montana
Brian Huotari reported that Montana is reviewing drone trespass legislation that would criminalize flights below 200 feet over private property without permission. Flights between 201-400 feet would remain lawful for FAA-certified operators.

Nevada
The College of Southern Nevada launched its Land Surveying and Geomatics degree program, complementing the program at Great Basin College. Professor Byron Calkins departed for New Mexico State University, and NALS is assisting in faculty recruitment. NALS also sent a formal letter to NSPS opposing NCEES’s proposed tiered licensure model.

Utah
UCLS continues to work with county recorders to clarify procedures related to the newly revised Boundary Establishment Law, ensuring a consistent statewide interpretation.

Washington
Ben Petersen reported that LSAW may pursue a Washington Administrative Code amendment concerning legal descriptions. The board is working toward exam decoupling, which will allow candidates to test before completing their experience requirements. Washington has also enacted a sales tax on professional services that may potentially affect surveyors, engineers and associations hosting live events.

Wyoming
John Lee discussed the ongoing corner-crossing lawsuit, which could have national implications for public land access in checkerboard areas created by historic railroad grants. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling may eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, potentially setting a national precedent.

Reports were not provided for New Mexico or Oregon.